In a resounding clash on March 24, 2025, San Marino faced off against Romania in a UEFA European Championship qualifying match at the Estadio Olimpico de Serravalle. The clash brought high hopes for both teams, despite their struggles in previous matches; San Marino was seeking its first victory, while Romania aimed to bounce back after a recent loss.
The match got off to a shaky start for San Marino. They were up against a determined Romanian side that had experienced a setback themselves, having lost 0-1 to Bosnia-Herzegovina in their last outing. Unfortunately, San Marino could not find its footing, suffering a significant defeat, concluding the game with a score of 5-1 in favor of Romania.
The game began with high anticipation, as both teams took to the field knowing the importance of securing points to improve their standings in the group. Roberto Cevoli, coach of San Marino, opted for a 4-3-3 formation, with Pietro Amici in goal and a defensive setup that included Giacomo Benvenuti, Michele Cevoli, Tommaso Benvenuti, and Alessandro Tosi. The midfield was occupied by Alessandro Golinucci, Lorenzo Capicchioni, and Samuele Zannoni, while the attack featured Andrea Contadini, Nicola Nanni, and Filippo Berardi.
On the Romanian side, Mircea Lucescu also favored a 4-3-3 strategy, choosing Horatiu Moldovan to guard the net and a back line of Andrei Ratiu, Mihai Popescu, Andrei Burca, and Nicusor Bancu. The midfield was anchored by Razvan Marin, Marius Marin, and Nicolae Stanciu, with the attack led by Dennis Man, Denis Dragus, and Ianis Hagi.
The match proceeded into the first half with Romania quickly displaying its offensive capabilities. Romania got on the board first through an own goal from Michele Cevoli, putting San Marino at a disadvantage with a score of 0-1 just minutes into the game. The pressure on San Marino intensified as Romania continued to attack, and they doubled their lead when Mihai Popescu scored from close range, making it 0-2.
Despite trailing, San Marino found some momentum, and their efforts were rewarded when Samuele Zannoni scored, assisted by Nicko Sensoli, narrowing the margin to 1-3. However, Romania quickly regained control, with Razvan Marin converting a penalty, extending their lead to 3-0.
The first half ended with San Marino trailing by two goals. As the second half began, the Romanian team maintained its dominance. Denis Alibec, a substitute player, made a significant impact, adding to the scoreline with a header that brought the tally to 4-1. He tested the San Marino defense further with a threatening shot that hit the right post.
Ianis Hagi, another key player for Romania, scored a penalty to further distance the two teams, raising the score to 4-1. This penalty was awarded after a foul committed by Michele Cevoli within the box. Even with these setbacks, San Marino’s realism mirrored their previous games, unable to convert their efforts into meaningful goals.
The match concluded with a final score of 5-1, leaving San Marino at the bottom of the standings, still searching for their first win in the qualifiers. The loss highlighted the challenges faced by San Marino and painted a grim picture of their position in the group.
The match was officiated by Damian Sylwestrzak, who oversaw a game filled with energy and emotion as both teams fought to make a difference in their standings. As the dust settles on this latest encounter, San Marino will need to reevaluate its strategy moving forward, while Romania will look to build on this much-needed victory.
Despite the scoreline, San Marino’s supporters continue to rally behind their team, hopeful that better results are just around the corner. Both teams now will prepare for their next fixtures with the hope of securing critical points as the qualifiers progress.
